How to pronounce portcullis
Say it like port-KUHL-is. Portcullis has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KUHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce portcullis. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- port
- KUHL
- is
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Portcullis pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- portKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- KUHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- isKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of portcullis
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: pawt-KUHL-is.
What does portcullis mean?
- A gate in the form of a grating which is lowered into place at the gateway of a castle, a fort, etc.
- To obstruct with, or as with, a portcullis; to shut; to bar.
Where does portcullis come from?
From Middle English portcolyse, from Old French porte colëice, from porte (“door”) + feminine of colëiz (“sliding”), ultimately from Latin colāre.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying portcullis
How do you pronounce portcullis?
Say port-KUHL-is. The American pronunciation is /pɔrtˈkʌlɪs/. In British English it is /pɔːtˈkʌlɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in portcullis?
Portcullis has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KUHL). Broken into parts: port · KUHL · is.
Is portcullis pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /pɔːtˈkʌlɪs/ (pawt-KUHL-is).